Apparatus for deploying oxygen masks

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for deploying oxygen masks that includes a pre-packaged modular system that does not require manual repacking of oxygen masks by aircraft technicians. The cartridge is for use with a manifold having a passageway in fluid communication with a source of breathable gas. The cartridge includes an end wall, a sidewall extending from the end wall and terminating at a distal end adjacent to an opening. A flexible member defines a chamber inside the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the passageway when the cartridge is coupled to the manifold. The flexible member has an outlet. A mask assembly is disposed inside the cartridge. The mask assembly has a hose coupled to the outlet of the flexible member. A cover is removably attached to the distal end of the at least one side wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/643,449 filed on Jan. 13, 2005, entitled “Method andApparatus for Deploying Oxygen Masks,” which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for deploying anemergency breathing mask in an aircraft. The apparatus is automaticallyor manually operable to present the breathing mask to a user upon lossof cabin pressurization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1A, typical emergency breathing mask deployment systemsinclude a generally rectangular shaped storage container 12 carrying afluid valve assembly 14, one or more oronasal oxygen masks 16 and means,generally indicated at 18, for supporting masks 16 thereon in a stowedcondition within container 12. As known to those of ordinary skill inthe art, the masks 16 have to be stowed in such a way that they willunfold during deployment without tangling. With the conventionalsystems, the masks 16 may have to be repacked in the container 12 byaircraft technicians several times during the usable life of thecontainer 12 and/or aircraft. For example, the masks 16 may have to bereplaced after a predetermined period of time, the masks may have to berepacked after inspection or they may have to be repacked after adeployment. In order to repack the masks 16 in the container 12,components, which typically include the oxygen tubes 29, reservoir bag38, elastic strap 34 and lanyards 60, must be carefully folded andcoiled as shown in FIG. 1B so that the mask 16 deploys properly and doesnot become tangled during an emergency situation. The process ofrepacking masks is time-consuming and costly given the labor rates ofaircraft technicians.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus that eliminatesthe need to have aircraft technicians manually repack oxygen masksduring service-related replacement of masks. In addition while mostmasks are mounted in the ceilings of aircraft, some aircraft willrequire mounting in the sidewalls or as part of a seat assembly. Inthese aircraft there is a need for an emergency mask system that can bedeployed by forces other than gravity. There is also a need for a methodand apparatus that meets both needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the above-described need by providing amethod and apparatus for presenting oxygen masks that provides apre-packaged, modular system that does not require manual repacking ofoxygen masks by aircraft technicians. The system also provides a forceother than gravity for deploying the masks. It is to be understood thatthe present invention may be used in a ceiling mounted orientation whereit would provide a force in addition to gravity for releasing the masks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like referencecharacters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures ofwhich:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art emergency mask deploymentsystem showing the oxygen masks dropped free from the container;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an oxygen mask folded for deploymentinside the container;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an individual mask cartridge ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing three ports for receiving theindividual cartridges;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the present invention in relationto an access door;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6A is an elevational, cross-sectional view of an alternateembodiment of the cartridge of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is an elevational, cross-sectional view of an alternateembodiment of the cartridge shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge with a valve locatedbetween the diaphragm and the hose to the mask assembly;

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of thevalve for controlling flow to the mask assembly;

FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of another alternate embodimentshowing a valve for controlling flow to the mask assembly;

FIG. 7 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of an alternateembodiment of the cartridge of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a plurality of cartridges attachedto a manifold;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cartridges and manifold shown inFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view of an alternateembodiment of the manifold;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an alternate embodimentof the cartridge of the present invention; and,

FIG. 12 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view of an alternateembodiment of the cartridge and manifold of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 2, a cartridge 100, which may be in the shape of acylinder, contains a single oxygen mask assembly 103. As will be evidentto those of ordinary skill in the art, the oxygen mask assembly 103 mayinclude the following major components: a folded reservoir bag 106, anoronasal mask 109, a strap 112, and breathing conduit 115. The cartridge100 is provided with side walls 118 and an end wall 121. The end wall121 is provided with an opening 124 for receiving a quick connectfitting that is in fluid communication with the conduit on the maskassembly. Opposite from the end wall 121, the cartridge 100 has anopening 127 where the mask 109 exits the cartridge 100 duringdeployment. The opening 127 may be initially covered or partiallycovered by a removable substrate 130 which may be provided with apressure-sensitive adhesive or the like. Alternately, the substrate 130may be creased, scored, or perforated such that it will split openduring deployment of the mask. The substrate 130 covers the opening 127to hold the mask assembly 103 in position during installation of thecartridge 100 and may also prevent contamination. The cartridge 100 is apre-packed standalone assembly that is intended to be installed in thefield without requiring any handling of individual mask components byaircraft technicians. Accordingly, the cartridge 100 is provided withquick connect oxygen line connections and quick connect mechanicalconnections such as quarter-turn bayonet (not shown), pin and slotconnections (FIG. 6-9), or “push and stab” connections (FIG. 12) thatprovide for quick installation in the field without the requirement oftools or separate fasteners. However, it is to be understood that thecartridge 100 can also be installed with tools and separate fasteners.

In addition to being a pre-packed modular construction, the cartridge100 includes a supplemental mask ejection device such as thespring-biased piston 131 shown in FIG. 2. The piston 131 is biased by apair of coil springs 133 disposed in grooves 135 in the back of thepiston 131. When an electrical signal is given or when the oxygen flowis activated, the spring 133 is released from a retention mechanism andprovides a force on the piston 131 in the downward direction withrespect to the orientation of FIG. 2. This force ejects the mask 109from its cartridge to present it to the user.

As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, the maskejection device may be formed as part of the cartridge, as part of thehousing or oxygen manifold (as shown and described herein in connectionwith FIGS. 10-12) or as a part of some or all of the above components.Also, in order to eliminate the ejection device from the cartridge, thecartridge may be provided with an end wall that is responsive to forcefrom an ejection device mounted on the manifold. Also, the cartridge maybe formed with one or more openings in the top and the one or moreopenings may be covered by a flexible covering such that the ejectiondevice may act upon the mask 109 to deploy it.

Turning to FIG. 3, a bank of cartridges are shown. On the left side withrespect to the orientation of FIG. 3, cartridge 100 is shown with themask removed for clarity. As shown, the cartridge 100 includes a quickconnect fitting for attaching to a manifold 140. In the other positionsalong the manifold 140, alternate embodiments for the cartridge areshown. In the middle position, a cartridge 150 is shown. The cartridge150 includes a piston 153 sealed with O-rings 156. The piston 153 isactuated by the pressure of the oxygen and ejects the mask from itscartridge. In the right hand position, another alternate gas pressureactuated piston is shown with cup seals 159 to form the pressure chamberabove the piston.

In FIG. 4, a pair of cartridges 100 and 150 are shown in relation to thedoor 160 leading to the inside of the aircraft cabin. As shown, the door160 may be opened by a solenoid-operated actuator 163. As analternative, the door 160 could be held by a mechanically operated latchcapable of being released by the force of the ejection of the mask 109.

Once the door 160 is opened, the mask 109 is ejected from its cartridgeby the force of the piston which may be spring-biased or pressureactuated as described above. If the flow of oxygen is initiated when themasks are presented, then the masks may be ejected by pneumatic pressureas described above.

Turning to FIG. 5, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, mask 109is ejected from cartridge 180 by a bellows chamber 183. When the flow ofoxygen is initiated the bellows chamber 183 fills with oxygen causing itto expand and push the mask 109 downward with respect to the orientationof FIG. 5.

In FIG. 6A, an alternate embodiment of the cartridge is shown. Cartridge200 includes side walls 203 and an end wall 206. Extending from end wall206 are a pair of studs 209 that can be used for attaching the cartridge200 to a support structure. The studs have a body portion 212 and anenlarged head 215 for engaging with a slot having an enlarged openingleading to a slot. By inserting the head 215 into the enlarged openingand rotating the cartridge 200, the body portion 212 can be received andretained by the slot as will be evident to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

In the center of the end wall 206 there is an opening 207 surrounded byan adapter 218. The adapter 218 is provided with an O-ring 221 capableof engaging with the oxygen manifold to provide for fluid communicationbetween the oxygen manifold and the oxygen conduit 224 in the cartridge200. Other connecting means such as quick connects and the like couldalso be used and the cartridge 200 could therefore be supported fromthese other structures disposed around the central opening. As shown theadapter 218 leads to a bladder 227 the outlet of which is in fluidcommunication with the conduit 224. The conduit 224 is coiled above theremaining components such as the reservoir bag, straps, and oronasalmask. A cover 230 is attached to the cartridge 200 at the end oppositefrom the end wall 206. In operation, the flow of oxygen from themanifold into the bladder 227 causes the bladder 227 to expand and forcethe mask assembly to push the cover 230 off of the cartridge and causesthe mask assembly to exit the cartridge 200.

In FIG. 6B, a variation of the bladder 227 is shown. A diaphragm 250 isformed from a flexible sheet of material. The diaphragm 250 may beattached on opposite sides of the cartridge 253 at midwall between thetop 256 and bottom 259 of the cartridge. The cartridge 253 has a centralopening 268 which is surrounded by a gasket 271 when the cartridge 253is in position. The central opening 268 is in fluid communication withgas passageway 274 in the manifold 265.

A mask assembly 277 (including straps, etc. as described above inconnection with FIG. 2) is provided for delivering the breathing gas tothe user. A hose assembly 280 connects the mask assembly 277 to afitting 283 on the diaphragm 250. The mask assembly 277 and hoseassembly 280 are folded and stowed in the cartridge 253 prior to use (asshown in FIG. 6A).

As shown in FIG. 6B, upon actuation the flow of breathing gas in thedirection of arrow 284 from the manifold 265 causes the diaphragm 250 tomove downward with respect to the orientation of FIG. 6B. The force ofthe diaphragm 250 against the mask assembly 277 causes it to deploy. Theforce of the diaphragm 250 against the mask assembly 277 provides fordeployment of the mask assembly 277 regardless of the location of thecartridge 253 which may include overhead in the ceiling of the aircraft,in the sidewalls of the aircraft, or in the seat assembly.

In FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of the cartridge is shown. Cartridge300 has side walls 303 and an end wall 309. The end wall 309 may beprovided with studs 312 for engaging with support structure on oxygenmanifold 308 (FIGS. 8-9) as described above in connection with studs209. Also, a central opening 310 is surrounded by an adapter 315 havingan O-ring 318 disposed thereon. The adapter 315 may be inserted into theoxygen manifold 308 such that a seal is formed by the O-ring 318.

A spring 321 is seated in a retaining member 323. The retaining member323 may be provided with a major portion having an H-shape incross-section. The top section 324 holds the spring 321 and prevents itfrom making contact with the coiled breathing conduit 327. A tube 330extends between the adapter 315 and the breathing conduit 327 and isdisposed through an opening in the center of the retaining member 323.The bottom of the retaining member 323 is hollow and provides additionalsupport for the coiled breathing conduit 327. The top of the retainingmember 323 is provided with a flange 333 that extends outwardly. Thespring 321 is compressed between the end wall 309 of the cartridge 300and the dividing wall 336 in the retaining member 323. The spring 321 isbiased against the retaining member 323 in the downward direction withrespect to the orientation of FIG. 7.

A latch 350 connected to retaining member 323 holds the spring 321 inthe compressed state as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIGS. 8-9, thelatch 350 is engaged with a surface on the oxygen manifold 308. Asolenoid actuated piston 360 (FIGS. 8-9) may be provided to disengagethe latch for deployment of the masks. The piston on the solenoiddisengages the latch such that the spring is allowed to expand and pushinto the mask assembly which in turn pushes against the cover 365 toopen the end of the cartridge 300. After the cover 365 is released, themask assembly exits from the cartridge 300.

Turning to FIGS. 10-12, an alternate embodiment of the inventionprovides for mounting the springs external to the cartridge. As shown inFIG. 10, manifold 400 supports a pair of latches having a catch member403, a shaft 406, a head 409 and a pair of springs 412. The springs 412are pre-loaded in compression between the head 409 and the bottomsurface 415 of the manifold 400.

As shown in FIG. 11, a cartridge 420 has a pair of openings 423 in thetop wall for receiving the springs 412 and their supporting structure.The cartridge 420 may be provided with studs 413 for mounting thecartridge 420 on the manifold 400. The cartridge 420 also includes acentral opening 426 surrounded by an adapter 429. The central opening isin fluid communication with a breathing conduit 432 connected to anoronasal mask assembly. Accordingly, oxygen from the manifold 400 canflow into the breathing conduit 432 when the cartridge 420 is attachedto the manifold 400. A spacer member 430 is disposed between the springs412 and the mask assembly.

Turning to FIG. 12, a solenoid actuated piston assembly 450 is mountedon the manifold 400 and is disposed such that the pistons disengage thecatch members 403 from the oxygen manifold 400. Once the catch members403 are free, the springs 412 push against the spacer member 430 whichpushes the mask assembly against the cover 480 and out of the cartridge420.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be used with alltypes of aircraft supplemental oxygen delivery systems. There are twoprimary types of delivery systems: systems whose deployment is initiatedby the turning on of a central oxygen supply and systems whosedeployment is initiated by an electrical signal. In systems wheredeployment is initiated by turning on a central oxygen supply, thepneumatic pressure can be used to push the mask out of its container asdescribed above. Because the containers are normally stored in a housingthat typically includes a cover, the pneumatic pressure of the oxygencan be used to unlatch the cover or the cover could be unlatched by themasks pressing against the inside of the cover as they are ejected fromtheir containers.

There are also systems where deployment is initiated by the turning onof a central oxygen supply; however, in order to conserve oxygen thecentral oxygen supply is not delivered to the individual masks untilusers reach for the mask and take an action such as drawing the mask totheir face. In this situation, the pressure of the oxygen supply beingturned on may be used to open the door of the housing and to provideflow to a bellows or bladder for ejecting the mask. Returning to FIGS.6C-6E, a valve may be inserted in the oxygen supply to prevent asustained flow of oxygen out through a mask which is not being used. InFIG. 6C, such an arrangement is shown where the valve 285 is inserted atthe point where the hose assembly 280 attaches to a fitting 283 ondiaphragm 250. In this case, the valve 285 may be a simple on/off togglevalve or a clip closing off hose assembly 280. This valve may beattached to a lanyard 288 and when mask assembly 277 is pulled to auser's face, the lanyard 288 will actuate the valve 285 or release theclip allowing oxygen to flow. The valve could also be electronic suchthat it would be activated by the user's drawing in a breath afterdonning the mask and creating a slight negative pressure in the mask andtubing, which would be sensed by the electronic switch allowing theoxygen to flow.

FIG. 6D illustrates a switch that may be mounted on the manifold or thecartridge. Oxygen flows into a bellows or bladder ejecting the mask asdescribed previously but cannot flow into the tubing of the mask untilthe electronic valve 289 senses the presence of a user and allows theoxygen to flow to the mask assembly 277.

FIG. 6E is a variation of the electronic switch located in the oxygensupply. In this example, the electronic switch 296 allows oxygen to flowinto the bellows or bladder through central opening 268, ejecting themask assembly 277 as described previously. However, the switch 296 isprogrammed to allow the flow of oxygen to occur for only the length oftime needed to eject the mask, after which the oxygen supply is cut offby the electronic switch 296. The electronic switch 296 does not reopen,allowing the flow to continue, until it senses by means of sensor tube294 that the user is taking a breath.

In systems where deployment of the masks is initiated by an electricalsignal, without any flow of oxygen occurring, the oxygen source is oftena chemical oxygen generator or a sealed oxygen cylinder serving only thegroup of masks contained in one or more housings. In such cases in ordernot to expend an oxygen generator or unseal a sealed cylinder, theoxygen supply may be initiated by the users reaching for the oxygenmasks and pulling them toward their faces. Accordingly, the ejection ofthe masks is not associated with the flow of oxygen as the masks have tobe ejected prior to actuation of the source of oxygen gas.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainembodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. A cartridge for use with a manifold, the manifold having a passagewayin fluid communication with a source of breathable gas, the cartridge,comprising: an end wall; at least one sidewall extending from the endwall and terminating at a distal end adjacent to an opening; a flexiblemember defining a chamber inside the cartridge, the chamber in fluidcommunication with the passageway when the cartridge is coupled to themanifold, the flexible member having an outlet; a mask assembly disposedinside the cartridge, the mask assembly having a hose coupled to theoutlet of the flexible member; and, wherein pressure against theflexible member caused by flow of the breathing gas into the chambercauses the mask to eject from the cartridge through the opening at thedistal end of the at least one sidewall.
 2. The cartridge of claim 1,further comprising a flange capable of engaging with a locking elementon the manifold.
 3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the flexiblemember comprises a diaphragm.
 4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein theflexible member comprises a bellows.
 5. The cartridge of claim 3,wherein the diaphragm is attached to the at least one sidewall at amidpoint.
 6. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the diaphragm is attachedto the end wall.
 7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the end wall hasan opening defined therein, the opening being in registry with thepassageway when the cartridge is coupled to the manifold.
 8. Thecartridge of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed in operativerelation with the mask assembly such that the valve is opened to allowflow of the breathing gas to the mask assembly when a user applies aforce to the mask assembly.
 9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein thevalve is actuated by a lanyard attached to the mask assembly.
 10. Thecartridge of claim 1, further comprising a valve responsive to a userdrawing a breath through the mask assembly, the valve controlling flowof the breathing gas to the mask assembly.
 11. A cartridge for use witha manifold, the manifold having a passageway in fluid communication witha source of breathable gas, the cartridge, comprising: an end wallhaving an opening defined therein, the opening being in registry withthe passageway when the cartridge is coupled to the manifold; at leastone sidewall extending from the end wall and terminating at a distal endadjacent to an opening; a mask assembly disposed inside the cartridge,the mask assembly having a hose disposed in fluid communication with theopening in the end wall; and, a biasing member disposed on one of thecartridge and the manifold, the biasing member disposed in a normallyclosed configuration adjacent the mask assembly such that the biasingmember is capable of being released such that it engages with the maskassembly to eject the mask assembly through the opening at the distalend of the at least one sidewall.
 12. The cartridge of claim 11, furthercomprising a piston disposed between the mask assembly and the biasingmember.
 13. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein the biasing member isbiased in the closed position by a latch.
 14. The cartridge of claim 13,wherein the latch engages with a catch on the manifold.
 15. Thecartridge of claim 11, wherein a cover holds the biasing member in theclosed position.
 16. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the cover isopened by a solenoid actuated latch such that opening of the coverreleases the biasing member which in turn ejects the mask through theopening at the distal end of the at least one sidewall.
 17. Thecartridge of claim 11 further comprising a retaining member having acompartment for receiving the biasing member, the retaining memberhaving a latch attached thereto.
 18. The cartridge of claim 17, whereinthe latch on the retaining member engages with a catch disposed on themanifold.
 19. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein releasing the latchcauses the biasing member to eject the retaining member through theopening at the distal end of the at least one sidewall.
 20. Thecartridge of claim 17, wherein the hose wraps around an outside surfaceof the retaining member.
 21. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein thebiasing member is attached to the manifold and compressed against asurface of the manifold in the closed position.
 22. The cartridge ofclaim 16, wherein the biasing member is disposed inside the cartridge.23. The cartridge of claim 11, further comprising a valve disposed inoperative relation with the mask assembly such that the valve is openedto allow flow of the breathing gas to the mask assembly when a userapplies a force to the mask assembly.
 24. The cartridge of claim 23,wherein the valve is actuated by a lanyard attached to the maskassembly.
 25. The cartridge of claim 11, further comprising a valveresponsive to a user drawing a breath through the mask assembly, thevalve controlling flow of the breathing gas to the mask assembly.
 26. Acartridge for use with a manifold, the manifold having a passageway influid communication with a source of breathable gas, the cartridge,comprising: an end wall having an opening defined therein, the openingbeing in registry with the passageway when the cartridge is coupled tothe manifold; at least one sidewall extending from the end wall andterminating at a distal end adjacent to an opening; a mask assemblydisposed inside the cartridge, the mask assembly having a hose disposedin fluid communication with the opening in the end wall; a pistondisposed between the mask assembly and the end wall; and, wherein flowof the breathing gas to the cartridge causes the piston to slide intothe mask assembly causing the mask assembly to eject the mask assemblythrough the opening at the distal end of the at least one sidewall. 27.The cartridge of claim 26, further comprising a valve disposed inoperative relation with the mask assembly such that the valve is openedto allow flow of the breathing gas to the mask assembly when a userapplies a force to the mask assembly.
 28. The cartridge of claim 27,wherein the valve is actuated by a lanyard attached to the maskassembly.
 29. The cartridge of claim 26, further comprising a valveresponsive to a user drawing a breath through the mask assembly, thevalve controlling flow of the breathing gas to the mask assembly.